My experience at Sunfeast 10k run...

02/06/2009

As always, I had a nervous morning on the run day, i.e. last Sunday, 31st May '09.
Don't know what I was nervous about.

By my own standards, I was 80% prepared for the run. One can always pull in the remaining bit considering the enthusiasm of the day. So, there wasn't much to be worried about.

As I reached Kanteerva Stadium, where the run was supposed to begin, I realized that the massive number of participants. It was different kind of feeling as if I am standing in some grand gala event that the whole city is proud about.

The last time I ran in Bangalore was back in 2006, where I ran in Half Marathon. That had a maximum of 1500 people. But this around, I couldn't believe my eyes.
Stands filled up with thousands of people eager to start off in the various categories of run.
(newspapers reported next day: there were 23k people compared to a 15k last time)

As the run started, I ran slowly and kept observing around the various causes people were conveying to the world - some wanted to support children, some wanted to build an athletic track, some wanted to support the poor, some wanted to have a better administration, some better politicians, some for children's rights.
So many colored T-shirts, diverse attire, ear phones, waist-packs, teenagers, ladies, girls, men, boys, senior citizens; I got to see everyone.
This is one thing I am happy about. With every year, Runs are generating more and more interest amongst Bangalore's public.

Most of the roads where the Run route went through- I have driven of them.
As I ran, I kept wondering often, "Is this road THIS LONG...?" :)

Last time, I didn't participate but I was a by-stander on one of roads and there I cheered all the runners who went past. I made it a point to cheer the slower ones.
Few friends told me that there weren't many people cheering the runners. But this time, I am positive they would felt the opposite because there were a lot of people to cheer.

And this is what I wanted to do and was waiting for: a point, where I can conveniently stand and cheer my fellow runners.
So, as I crossed the 9km mark, I stopped and performed my ritual.
I know what it means to hear the cheering from the by-standers. I believe, a run becomes extra special when 'unknown' people cheer the participants.

As the crowd reduced, I completed my last few hundred meters.

I didn't record my time. It wasn't on my mind either.

However, this run wouldn't be complete if I don't acknowledge all the people who supported my run for the cause of promoting Hockey at Grass root levels.

Your support -as a friend, colleague, relative, believer of my cause, supporter/patron of my endeavors - means a lot to me and my cause.
I was able to raise Rs. 81,737 from 49 of you for Hockey Citizen Group.
No doubts, number have their own importance. However, I wish to thank each one of you for supporting me.
As an acknowledgement, I take the privilege and list your names here.

(in no particular order and names, mostly how I address you)
Sunil Saini
Shashi ji
Rajul Saxena
Surekha Rao
Nagarajan A
Jatin
Gaurav Shukla
Raviraj
Namrata
Neogy
Nitin
Vijay Mishra
Naveen P
Hullas
Pavan KVV
Kautuk
Amrish
Mayank K
Mahesh B A
Ajay
Vishal A
Amit Tandon
Divyasree Pawar
Shwetha
Pankaj Vohra
Shilpa T
Mom/Dad
Mama ji/Mausa ji
Naveen B
Aravindhan
Ekta
Bindu/Rajeev
Abhishek Goel
Olympia
Shankar S (and team)
Pradeep C
Ravinder
Sosale
Sri
Ratheen
Vishal T
Mahesh Khanna
Divya Upadhayay
Shunmugavel
Baba (Satyajit Rout)
Gaurav Batra
Kamal Kumar
Shanu ji
Dr. Shankar Chatterjee

Few of you have pledged for me for years, I wonder what I would have been had I not had core supporters like you...!